3 students punished in Texas City locker room beating

Three Texas City high school students are under investigation after beating other students with belts in a locker room last week, officials said.

The students that attacked the two other boys last Wednesday were punished on Monday by the school district, said Melissa Tortorici, Texas City Independent School District spokeswoman. The boys were likely suspended, but Tortorici said she did not have immediate details on the specific punishment.

The victims did not sustain serious injuries and only had bruising, Tortorici said. The names of the five boys involved were not released.

The administration and the Galveston County Sheriff’s Office started an investigation into the incident last week. The administration’s investigation is completed, but the sheriff’s office is continuing its probe, said Major Ray Tuttoilmondo, a sheriff’s office spokesman. Officers called the incident an assault.

“We are putting the whole thing together,” Tuttoilmondo said. “The school district is dealing with the disciplinary action, but we are still looking at the criminal aspect, working with the victims and their families.”

He said the incident was not considered hazing or bullying at this time.